H Idioms

(English Idioms & Sayings) H Idioms

had best (do something)

- should do something, ought to do something
I had best go home soon as I want to get up early tomorrow morning.

had better (do something)

- should do something, ought to do something
I had better go now or I will be late for class.

hail from (somewhere)

- originally come from somewhere
My father hails from a small farming community.

the hair of the dog that bit you

- a drink of alcohol taken when one is recovering from drinking too much
My friend got up early and had the hair of the dog that bit him to start the day.

(one's) hair stands on end

- become frightened or afraid of something
My hair stood on end when I saw the scene after the automobile accident.

(to be) hale and hearty

- to be in very good health, to be well and strong
My uncle is a hale and hearty fellow who never gets sick.

half-baked

- foolish
I don't really like his half-baked idea about the new delivery system.

(to be) half the battle

- to be a large part of the work
Writing the letters will be half the battle. We can finish the rest of the work next week.

(to be) halfhearted about (someone or something)

- (to be) unenthusiastic about someone or something
I was halfhearted about joining the group to go hiking.

ham it up

- do something silly or try to exaggerate something in a funny way
I was hamming it up with my friend in front of the principal's office.

hammer away at (someone or something)

- be persistent in trying to do something
I worked all weekend to hammer away at my final essay for university.

hammer out (something)

- work something out by discussion and debate
The union and managers were able to hammer out an agreement before midnight last night.

hammer (something) home

- try hard to make someone understand something
The speaker tried to hammer home the importance of treating the customers with respect.


Posted by Learning English through English Idioms and Sayings